Polish foreign minister: Two-speed Europe will end in disaster

Poland’s Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said the Franco-German call to reform the eurozone will have a knock-on effect on non-euro countries and “would end in a disaster.”

Waszczykowski told German newspaper Die Welt in an interview published Friday that such proposals would split the EU, and Warsaw will “certainly not agree with such plans.”

“If the EU wants to begin to create its own political structures, such as having a finance minister or a common budget, or if the eurozone sets up an investment program only for member countries, then the EU is split,” he said. “That is very dangerous. This could mean the end of the European Union.”

Waszczykowski also responded to EU criticism of its moves to reform its constitutional court and the investigation into whether its legislation is in line with EU rules, saying Brussels’ concerns were “not legitimate.” Waszczykowski said the new laws were passed by the previous parliament, before the current right-wing Law and Justice party came to power.

He added that the EU is applying “double standards” that stigmatize Poland.

Waszczykowski also warned Brussels against initiating Article 7 procedures that can lead to a country’s EU voting rights being suspended. The European Parliament this week urged the EU to begin Article 7 proceedings against Hungary.

The minister also addressed EU criticism of Poland’s refusal to accept Syrian refugees. Waszczykowski said those fleeing the Syrian war did not want to come to Poland, but added the government is prepared to accept refugees from war zones “should they reach Polish borders.”

robi székely

it’s a disaster already! Western companies robbing eastern countries while the EU “gives” back less than 10% for “development” which goes back to the west trough companies like Strabag, Siemens…

Posted on 5/19/17 | 8:46 AM CEST

EUFed

If you want to have a say, join the Euro, and stop being in breach of European values and laws that makes Polands voice irrelevant to most EU leaders; that’s not how Poland with strengthen its position in the EU but will lose it even further.

Posted on 5/19/17 | 8:54 AM CEST

Michal

It is this governemtn that will lead Poland to disaster, not two-speed Europe.
If mr Waszczykowski is incapable of being a decent foreign minister maybe it’s time to resign?

Posted on 5/19/17 | 9:19 AM CEST

robi székely

All economies struggle under the euro except the natzis… just join them 😀

Posted on 5/19/17 | 9:20 AM CEST

Alexandre

Germany and France must stop using EU as driver of their economic and political interests and start to be team players. If they don’t, the whole project will collapse – see Greece as a test case.

The times of free exploitation of central Europe are over. Get used to it. It happened with West’s African colonies, now it’s happening with the European ones as well.

Besides the world is going forward really fast and EU is gradually being left behind. See what is going on in the renewable energy sector where once Germany was the power.

Posted on 5/19/17 | 9:30 AM CEST

wow

Yes it will be a disater, but Germany and France wish to share being a financial centre a massive as London, so EZ has to integrate.

It’s a pipe dream but they won’t listen. After the 2008 crash UK/USA pumped massive money into the global financial system, being two of three of the world’s financial ‘command centres’. What if Germany became one of these ‘command centres’ and their dream came true.

Germany would not put any money in to save the global financial system. Germany would instead impose 30 years of ‘austerity’ on the whole world and stubbornly refuse any advice. It’s funny because they did this to the EZ and it’s still in austerity measures 10 years later, when the rest of the world is BOOMING.

Isn’t it weird that Germany is booming, while others in EU go bankrupt.

No, nobody is going to let the EU have a more significant financial centre.

Posted on 5/19/17 | 9:49 AM CEST

wow

NEW YORK TIMES MAY 5, 2017

‘What’s the Matter With Europe? – The New York Times’

‘Those of us who watched European institutions deal with the debt crisis that began in Greece and spread across much of Europe were shocked at the combination of callousness and arrogance that prevailed throughout.

Even though Brussels and Berlin were wrong again and again about the economics — even though the austerity they imposed was every bit as economically disastrous as critics warned — they continued to act as if they knew all the answers, that any suffering along the way was, in effect, necessary punishment for past sins.’

Posted on 5/19/17 | 9:51 AM CEST

Kurious

@ EUFed
RE: “and stop being in breach of European values and laws”

Do you mean Poland is being in breach of European values and laws?

If yes, PROVE it is – give pertinent facts supporting your assertion.

I mean specifics, not just slogans.

Can you? We’re waiting.

Posted on 5/19/17 | 9:55 AM CEST

Kurious

@ Michal
The usual commie bla, bla, bla.

Any evidence “this governemtn” is so bad it “will lead Poland to disaster”?

Any evidence Waszczykowski is an “indecent” foreign minister?

Cough it out. Can you?

To normal ones: the facts show the present Polish government has been doing numerous things that are beneficial to Poland, and it has a huge support from the Poles, including for its foreign policy.

Posted on 5/19/17 | 10:08 AM CEST

Drakes drum

Just another example of the eu punishing anyone who doesn’t agree with those ideals or morals. It’s just the rest of Europe is a vassal state to the Germans and the French poodle. They need you poor and weak, if you look strong like Hungary or Poland then you get slapped. Better than the tanks rolling over the border, hang on, the eu wants its own army. Not sure the British will rescue Europe from itself this time, we may watch over the channel as the Germans march east again

Posted on 5/19/17 | 10:18 AM CEST

Anon

A greedy and selfish hyena of Europe is never quite happy

Posted on 5/19/17 | 10:20 AM CEST

Lance

@Kurious
Be reasonable, you can’t demand evidence based accusations, that just makes it all so hard. We’ve been told you are so you are, we’re very certain of it whatever it is.

No, Poland and Hungary are bastards. No reasons needed.

Stay frosty V4.

Posted on 5/19/17 | 10:30 AM CEST

Lance

@Anon
Hyena’s are not greedier nor more selfish than any other animal.

Posted on 5/19/17 | 10:34 AM CEST

Kurious

The bullying against Poland has been going on also in a cultural-historical domain.

Media in Poland are reporting about a German schoolbook where the expression “Polish camps” (“polnische Lager”) is used instead of “German camps.”

By the way, this referring to the German WWII concentration camps as “Polish camps” or “Polish death camps” has been widespread not just in Germany, but the world, including the US. For example, Obama has used such an expression.

But I doubt it’s the Germans and the German state who are behind the cases of the monstrous misrepresentation and chutzpah.

It seems it’s another nation and state that are behind it.
You know who.

Kurious

Dan

Two-speed Europe will be great. Tier 1 will consolidate power and influence and Tier 2 will be marginalised. They will have no choice but to join Tier 1.

Fixed. An EU free of pesky democracy.

Posted on 5/19/17 | 10:57 AM CEST

Kurious

@ Jaws

You communicate to me:
‘@ Kurious:
“But I doubt it’s the Germans and the German state who are behind the cases of the monstrous misrepresentation and chutzpah. It seems it’s another nation and state that are behind it. You know who.”
Ah, that age-old POLISH ANTI-SEMITISM is rearing its ugly head again.
Some folks never learn.”

WHY do you communicate this to me and what do you mean in what you communicate?

Isn’t your reaction truly interesting?

Posted on 5/19/17 | 10:59 AM CEST

Lance

@Kurious

I was following a thread the other day where someone was trying to get to the bottom of what Poland and Hungary have done that is so bad other than not tow the EU line. No one had a clue but they were still very sure EU sanctions are necessary. Crazy mofo’s

Posted on 5/19/17 | 11:03 AM CEST

Kurious

@ Lance
Orwell calls the 20th century “a century of mass delusions.”

This term seems to describe perfectly also the present one.

Posted on 5/19/17 | 11:18 AM CEST

wow

@jaws no, I showed it’s FROM the NYT because it is. Crticism for PROVIDING the source?

BLESS

@Kurious, don’t worry about @jaws, he’s probably used to the Guardian, where they think a random racism accusation wins an argument and sources of information which show not everyone in the world thinks like them are ignored.

Anon

Poor Poland, it’s always a bad neighbourhood for them to blame, it’s never them. An EU wide conspiracy.

Posted on 5/19/17 | 11:37 AM CEST

wow

Can some mature pro-eu person explain what Poland have done, to warrant this behaviour?

MATURE please! With proof from reputable sources.

Please pro-eu people. Stay mature. It’s not that difficult.: The truth will speak for itself, if it is the truth you are telling. Random accusations aren’t needed, or making up stories, or over emotional opinions, or ideology. Just the facts please.

Kurious

@ wow

I’m on the left side (closer to the centre), but pro-remain.
I used to frequent the Guardian site myself but came to dislike their Soviet-style censorship of posts.
Yes, POLITICO seems better.
As to Jaws, well, he/she doesn’t look a smart shark.

Posted on 5/19/17 | 12:07 PM CEST

Anon

Kurious

Is playing dumb and not ‘understanding’ being a part of the discussion strategy?

Let me break it down for you – Poland only seems to be loving all of the benefits of being a part of the EU but same time is very reluctant to take any responsibilities. It’s not how the EU designed to work and for that reason it may end up developing at a slower speed.

Kurious

Thanks for your, ahem, gentle reply.
But what exactly do you mean in it?

RE: “Poland only seems to be loving all of the benefits of being a part of the EU but same time is very reluctant to take any responsibilities.”

Is this seeming of what allegedly Poland loves and is reluctant about your own seeming? If so, what specific facts is this seeming of yours based upon?

Oh, so you’re scared to reveal your nationality?

You say that unlike Poland the EU isn’t an “ethnocracy,” that is there are no nationalities in it?

So why the hell do you use the term “Poland”?

Aren’t you, apart from being a shameless coward, a liar too?

Posted on 5/19/17 | 12:34 PM CEST

Mikel

i say let’s split POLAND again, Germany knows how.
every other EU member takes a piece of it’s territory according to their size

Posted on 5/19/17 | 12:39 PM CEST

Dave

I’m waiting for Politico to cover a few stories: (i) mistreatment of the Polish native minority in Germany, (ii) theft of billions of euros in real estate in Poland thanks to Tusk era legislation, (iii) the Mayor of Warsaw’s possible involvement in the theft of real estate, (iv) the part played by corrupt judges in the theft of real estate, (v) the attempted coup d’etat in Warsaw last December called by Frans Timmermans, (vi) Rainer Muenz, special EU Commission adviser on immigration and demographics while being a George Soros employee – obvious conflict of interest and (vii) hell to freeze over. I think (vii) will happen before Politico reports on 1-6 !!

Posted on 5/19/17 | 12:45 PM CEST

JD

Kurious seems to be out of shape, only 30% of the thread comments to date are authored by him this time 😉 We all expect better results. And despite current Polish authorities lecture everybody around just like Kurious, noone gets onboard with that and each and every country in EU besides Hungary seems to do just the opposite Kaczynski and his puppets would like to. Because you do not get international recognition by shouting, lecturing and trolling, but by forming groups of mutual interests, signing up numerous countries to support your cause and effective diplomacy and negotiation. None of which Polish government is capable of, judging by effects of this “diplomacy” to-date.

Posted on 5/19/17 | 3:19 PM CEST

The Jaws Cap

@Jaws

Haha, if the cap fits wear it. Then again, I think it is Germans that will do anything to bury their past by any means – lying mainly.

Posted on 5/19/17 | 3:41 PM CEST

Anon

JD

Precisely, Kurious is just another PiS support troll who repeatedly pretends not to ‘get’ what others say. Any discussion with him is pointless as it’s just the way he earns his zloty.